Layered Thumbhole Cuff Structure for Blocking Sleeve Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleeve designs fail to effectively block undesirable air flow into the sleeve when the thumbhole aperture is not in use, leading to reduced comfort and environmental permeability.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve cuff with a thumbhole aperture formed between overlapping panels, where the distal panel and anterior panel are affixed to the sleeve to create a closed configuration that dramatically reduces permeability, and can be opened to form a snug fit around a thumb.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a thumbhole aperture is provided in the sleeve, then ease of operation is improved, but air flow blocking capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve cuff is divided into multiple functional panels: a distal panel forming the aperture, an anterior panel for coverage, and a posterior panel for structural support. This segmentation allows each panel to perform its specific function - the distal panel enables thumb insertion while the anterior and posterior panels work together to block air flow when the aperture is not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve cuff transitions between two dynamic states: a closed configuration where the aperture is blocked to prevent air flow, and an open configuration where the aperture is accessible for thumb insertion. The overlapping panels are designed to move relative to each other, allowing the cuff to adapt its state based on whether the thumbhole is in use, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and air flow blocking.
2Ease of operation
If the aperture is kept open for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but environmental permeability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve cuff is designed with overlapping panels that are pre-positioned to automatically close and block the aperture when the thumb is not inserted. This preliminary action of closing the aperture eliminates the need for active management and ensures environmental permeability is maintained by default, while still allowing easy access when needed.
3Device complexity
If a simple aperture design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but air flow blocking capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve cuff merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the distal panel forms both the aperture opening and part of the blocking mechanism, while the anterior and posterior panels combine to provide both coverage and air flow blocking. This merging achieves effective air flow blocking without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A sleeve cuff is provided for a sleeve including an anterior patch affixed to the sleeve and covering at least a portion of a cutout in the sleeve, a distal strap affixed to the sleeve and spanning over at least a portion of a cutout in the sleeve, and the distal strap overlapping at least a portion of the anterior patch to form an aperture for receiving a thumb therethrough. The sleeve cuff has a plurality of configurations, including at least a closed configuration where the aperture is closed and minimizes the wearer's exposure to wind and air elements therethrough, and an opened configuration where the aperture is opened and minimizes the air penetration around the received thumb.